Description Frederick Douglass, a former slave, is invited to give a commemorative speech on the Fourth of July. The man is intelligent and wise, and his skill as an orator is brilliant. Douglass raises poignant questions, which can often be ironic. Why has he been chosen to speak on the day of the white man's independence? Is it even necessary to argue that a black man is a man? Through his moving discourse, Douglass sheds light on the hypocrisy of his compatriots and the horrors of slavery. This iconic speech has become one of the most important moments in U.S. history, which is why it continues to be celebrated.